The Burning Bush - Far Eastern Bible College

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The Burning Bush 16/2 (July 2010) still a soul-winning church. Branch churches have also emphasised soulwinning. (2) Biblical Separation The second characteristic of the church was its stand for biblical separation. Biblical separation is what Rev Timothy Tow had learned at Faith Theological Seminary, in particular from Dr Carl McIntire. The stand for biblical separation caused major problems for the new church. Life Church English Service was part of the Synod of the Chinese Presbyterian Church, which was a member of the Malayan Christian Council, which was associated with the World Council of Churches. The leaders of the new church brought a motion to their Synod to withdraw from the Malayan Christian Council, because of the liberalism in that organisation. They presented this motion several times, but every time it was lost, because of the opposition of the liberal Presbyterian leaders in Singapore and Malaya. Life Church English Service decided, on the basis of the principle of biblical separation, that they could not remain part of the Synod any longer and withdrew from it in January of 1955. They called the newly separated church “Life Bible-Presbyterian Church,” adding the word “Bible” to “Presbyterian” to indicate their firm belief in the Bible and to distinguish themselves from the liberal Presbyterian Church. Throughout its history, Life Bible-Presbyterian Church and most of its branch churches have taken a strong stand on separation from the ecumenical movement as promoted by the World Council of Churches. The church also has taken a strong stand against neo-evangelicalism, as evidenced, for instance, in not supporting the Billy Graham Crusade that was held in Singapore in 1978. (3) The Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ The third characteristic of the Bible-Presbyterian Churches in Singapore was a strong emphasis on the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. While most Presbyterian churches around the world are amillennial in their eschatology, the Bible-Presbyterian Churches in Singapore are premillennial. With a strong emphasis on the imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ, church members were taught to live with eternity’s values in view. This resulted in many young people giving their lives for full-time Christian service. It also resulted in willingness among the church members to give generously to the Lord’s work. After all, one 74
I REMEMBER TIMOTHY TOW (1920 – 2009) cannot take his money with him to heaven, but he can send it ahead by giving to the Lord to advance His work. (4) Theological Training The fourth characteristic of the Bible-Presbyterian Church was its emphasis on theological training. The need for sound theological training for a new generation of church leaders became evident a few years after the church was established. Rev Timothy Tow writes, “We need to found a Bible College that will nurture future leaders of our Churches who will be able to stand in the gap in an evil day, and pursue the Word of the Lord by opening more and more preaching centres that the Kingdom of God might be extended to the uttermost part of Malaysia.” (Son of a Mother’s Vow, 176). The name chosen for the Bible College was Far Eastern Bible College, and the first class was held on 17 September 1962, with three students. God’s hand was upon Far Eastern Bible College, and its graduates have planted a number of Bible-Presbyterian churches in Singapore, Malaysia, and other countries. Due to the sound theological training received from dedicated, Bible-believing teachers, graduates of Far Eastern Bible College learned to stand for truth and righteousness, and against liberalism and neoevangelicalism. Just as Rev Timothy Tow emphasised evangelism and took a strong stand on biblical separation, students at the college were taught personal soul-winning and biblical separation. Also, following their principal, graduates of the college have emphasised the imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ. (5) Decentralisation The fifth characteristic of the Bible-Presbyterian Church, which developed after several years, was decentralisation. Rev Timothy Tow says, “Not centralisation, but decentralisation, is one genius of B-Pism.” (Son of a Mother’s Vow, 418). This principle of decentralisation led to the establishment of a number of new Bible-Presbyterian churches. Whenever there were a number of members of Life Bible-Presbyterian Church living in a certain area of Singapore, plans were made to start a church in that area. Because of the training provided by Far Eastern Bible College, full-time workers were readily available to pastor these new outreaches. Consequently, more than thirty Bible-Presbyterian Churches and mission stations were established throughout Singapore from 1950 to 75
Page 1 and 2: The Burning Bush ISSN 0219-5984 Jul
Page 3 and 4: Editorial The Rev Dr Timothy Tow, f
Page 5 and 6: I REMEMBER TIMOTHY TOW (1920 - 2009
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Page 53 and 54: PERSONAL LESSONS FROM BIBLE- PRESBY
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Page 57 and 58: SON OF A MOTHER’S VOW Timothy Tow
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SON OF A MOTHER’S VOW The late Re
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College News Dr Jeffrey Khoo) night
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Rev Dr Timothy Tow atop Half-Comple
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